The Freetown City Council (FCC) has yesterday launched the 230 years anniversary celebration of Freetown at the FCC Auditorium in Freetown.

The celebration was honored by Freetonians from all walks of life and all tribes. There were friends of Freetown from the British High Commission, European Union and JICA that graced the occasion.

Performances were done by Gwyn Allen and the University of Sierra Leone Theatre Group celebrated the pre-colonial, colonial and post colonial history of the city.
The history and even contemporary issues were elaborated in the two panel discussions that followed, which were moderated by Mr Charlie Haffner.

In her remarks, the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr shed light on the underlying causes of Freetown’s challenges today and how citizens can. collectively overcome them to build a Freetown they will all be proud of.

The Mayor expressed gratitude to all those that contributed to making the opening ceremony a success.
“Today was simply amazing! An excellent start to the Freetown At 230 Anniversary Celebrations. Thanks to everyone who contributed to making today such a huge success. We look forward to tomorrow’s Girls and Women’s Symposium as we ccelebrate International Womens Day,” she added.

Freetown is home to over 1 million people, representing 40 percent of Sierra Leone’s urban population.

Since 1787, when the city was founded, Freetown has been many things. A haven for freed slaves, a trading hub, a World War II Naval Base, the heart of academic excellence in West Africa and in 1961 it became Sierra Leone’s capital city and the seat of government.